Time Period: World War I
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Type: Biplane, Bomber Aircraft, General Purpose Aircraft
Manufacturer: Airco
Airco DH.4 Aircraft Overview
The Airco DH.4 was a two-seat biplane bomber and reconnaissance aircraft designed by Geoffrey de Havilland for the Aircraft Manufacturing Company (Airco) during World War I. It was first introduced in 1916 and became one of the most successful and widely used British aircraft of the war.
The DH.4 featured a wooden frame and was powered by a 375-horsepower Rolls-Royce Eagle engine. It was armed with a single .303-inch (7.7 mm) Lewis machine gun mounted on the rear cockpit and could carry up to 460 lb (210 kg) of bombs or other equipment.
The DH.4 had a top speed of around 143 mph (230 km/h) and a range of over 300 miles (480 km). It was widely used by the Royal Flying Corps and later the Royal Air Force for a variety of roles, including bombing, reconnaissance, and even as a fighter aircraft in some cases.
A total of around 1,800 DH.4 aircraft were built, with production continuing even after the end of World War I. The DH.4 was also used by a number of other countries, including the United States, which built its own version of the aircraft under license. The DH.4 played an essential role in the development of air power and aerial warfare and helped pave the way for further advancements in aircraft design and technology.
Airco DH.4 Specifications
- Crew: 2
- Length: 30 ft 8 in (9.35 m)
- Wingspan: 43 ft 4 in (13.21 m)
- Height: 11 ft 0 in (3.35 m)
- Wing area: 434 sq ft (40.3 m2)
- Empty weight: 2,387 lb (1,083 kg)
- Gross weight: 3,472 lb (1,575 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII water-cooled V12 engine, 375 hp (280 kW).
Airco DH.4 Performance
- Maximum speed: 143 mph (230 km/h, 124 kn) at sea level
- Endurance: 3 hr 45 min
- Service ceiling: 22,000 ft (6,700 m)
- Time to altitude: 9 min to 10,000 ft (3,000 m).
Airco DH.4 Armament
- Guns: One fixed forward-firing .303 in (7.7 mm) Vickers machine gun, 1 or 2 .303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis gun on a Scarff ring
- Bombs: 460 lb (210 kg) of bombs.
